Power system including redundant power supplies
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsBrian J. Griffith, Viktor D. Vogman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power system is disclosed for receiving dual alternating current sources and delivering direct current to drive a load. The power system comprises four power supplies and two transfer switch modules, any of which may be removed and replaced without disabling the power system. Three of the power supplies deliver current to drive the load while the fourth is redundant. A transfer switch control circuit activates relays within the transfer switch modules, in response to a change in the voltage maintained by one or both AC sources. As long as one of the AC sources maintains a voltage within a predetermined voltage range, three of the power supplies deliver current to drive the load.
Claims30
A system for supplying direct current to drive a load, the system comprising:
- a first transfer switch module coupled to a first alternating current source, the first transfer switch module comprising:
- a first transfer switch relay;
- and
- first safety relays coupled between the first alternating current source and a first power supply, the first power supply having a first output, wherein the first power supply receives current from the first alternating current source when the first safety relays are closed;
- a second power supply having a second output and third power supply having a third output, wherein the second and third power supplies have connected inputs;
- and
- a second transfer switch module coupled to a second alternating current source, the second transfer switch module comprising:
- a second transfer switch relay;
- and
- second safety relays coupled between the second alternating current source and a fourth power supply, the fourth power supply having a fourth output, wherein the fourth power supply receives current from the second alternating current source when the second safety relays are closed;
- wherein the first, second, third, and fourth outputs are connected to the load and the second and third power supplies receive current from the second alternating current source as long as the second alternating current source is operating within a predetermined voltage range.
A redundant power system comprising:
- a plurality of power supplies comprising at least a first power supply and a last power supply, wherein the plurality of power supplies are coupled at their outputs to a load;
- a first transfer switch module comprising first relays, wherein the first transfer switch module is coupled to a first alternating current source which maintains a first voltage, and the first transfer switch module is coupled to all but the last power supply of the plurality of power supplies such that the first voltage may be supplied thereto;
- a second transfer switch module comprising second relays, wherein the second transfer switch module is coupled to a second alternating current source which maintains a second voltage, and the second transfer switch module is coupled to all but the first power supply of the plurality of power supplies such that the second voltage may be supplied thereto;
- and
- a transfer switch control circuit for causing the redundant power system to assume a plurality of power states based on voltages maintained by the first and second alternating current sources;
- wherein the transfer switch control circuit causes the redundant power system to assume a first power state when the first voltage and the second voltage are within a predetermined voltage range.
A method comprising:
- monitoring a first alternating current source maintaining a first voltage;
- monitoring a second alternating current source maintaining a second voltage;
- identifying the second voltage as being within a predetermined voltage range and identifying the first voltage as being either within the predetermined voltage range or outside the predetermined voltage range but non-zero;
- and
- coupling the first alternating current source to a first power supply and coupling the second alternating current source to a second power supply, a third power supply, and a fourth power supply, wherein each of the four power supplies has an output connected to a load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.